Wellness Foundation announces new vision of prioritizing well-being between pet owners and pets
Announces 3 new partners to support the mental, physical, and emotional mutual benefits between pets and people
Wellness Pet Company, maker of premium natural food and treats for dogs and cats, has announced the Wellness Foundation has 3 new partners to support, fund, and program with including Pet Partners; Pets & People Foundation; and Boynton Health's PAWS (Pet Away Worry & Stress) organizations. In tandem with this, the foundation has launched a new focus: to enhance the human experience and promote the mutually beneficial relationship between people and pets.
"At Wellness Pet Company, we know the positive impacts stemming from the bond between pets and pet parents—it's something we recognize and celebrate every day. The Wellness Foundation remains committed to helping pets and pet parents fulfill a life of wellbeing together, as we work to enhance opportunities for more individuals to experience the benefits," expressed Reed Howlett, CEO of Wellness Pet Company, in a release.1
"We look forward to working with our newest partners who believe in these shared values as we continue to facilitate and encourage shared wellbeing for more pets and pet parents across the country,” he added.
Through the Wellness Foundation’s collaboration with Pet Partners, the national leader in demonstrating and promoting the health and well-being benefits of animal-assisted therapy, activities, and education, it will sponsor the World's Largest Pet Walk taking place on on September 24, 2022, plus additional employee engagement opportunities. Wellness Pet employees will also have the chance to learn how to become registered therapy animal handlers. Pet Partners is based in Bellevue, Washington, and makes millions of visits each year to patients in recovery, individuals with intellectual disabilities, seniors living with Alzheimer's, students, veterans with PTSD, and those who have experienced crisis events.1
Meanwhile, the Pets & People Foundation, Inc. provides pet-assisted therapy to residents of nursing homes, assisted living homes, special needs facilities, half-way houses, children's facilities, colleges and universities, and senior daycare centers and hospitals. The Wellness Foundation will support Pets & People to recruit, train, and credential new therapy animal teams, along with support training and credentialing programs.
Boynton Health's PAWS sessions include registered therapy animal teams as part of the University of Minnesota's initiative to support student mental health. The Wellness Foundation and PAWS will team up to substantially contribute to the wellbeing of one of the most at-risk age cohorts. The Wellness Foundation Animal-Assisted Interactions (AAI) Scholarship for University of Minnesota students will support 10 students and their animals to become registered therapy animal teams, including offering access to the Pet Partners online Handler Course, an in-person evaluation with their animals and veterinary exams, and a Pet Partners registration application.1
Reference
The Wellness Foundation announces a new focus on promoting shared wellbeing between pet parents and their pets. News release. Wellness Pet Company. September 12, 2022. Accessed September 12, 2022. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-wellness-foundation-announces-a-new-focus-on-promoting-shared-wellbeing-between-pet-parents-and-their-pets-301621456.html
